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About the Institute

Message from the Director

"We stand at the beginning of a century where enormous gains in women’s health research are possible. We know in order to improve women’s health beyond the reproductive system we must increase knowledge of sex differences across all disciplines. This requires that all research studies — basic science, translational and clinical — are designed to include sex and gender variables where the results are analyzed and reported by sex."

Since its inception the WHRI has been actively changing the face of women’s health by:

Increasing the number of women in clinical studies through our statewide registry

Creating awareness on the importance of sex and gender to hundreds of health professionals through our monthly scientific forums and to the general public through our newsletters and social media sites

Authoring key, high-impact journal articles on the rationale for sex inclusion in all cell, tissue, animal, and human research that are changing policy at the National Institute of Health and the Federal Drug Administration

Creating mentorship opportunities that feed the pipeline of women in the biomedical sciences

Developing interactive tools to help women make informed decisions about their health

Serving as an authoritative source about women’s health research to the national media outlets including CBS 60 Minutes

Funding pilot projects that examine sex differences and help advance the careers and funding for young investigators committed to sex inclusion

Now is the time to catalyze these gains in sex-based biology into the most comprehensive health for both women and men. We are a voice for innovations that give birth to an entirely redesigned definition of women’s health.

Sincerely,

Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.

Director

Northwestern University

Women's Health Research Institute

Who We Are

The WHRI is a unique community of researchers, clinicians, students, and advocates affiliated with Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine dedicated to advance the field of sex-based biology to improve women's health.

What We Do

The WHRI educates professionals and the public, cultivates research that explores sex differences, advocates for policies that ensure sex inclusion, and mentors women in the biomedical sciences.

Our Team

Our administrative team has engaged a network of basic, translational, and clinical scientists as well as clinicians and health professionals to ensure that the work we do meets our motto: Science to Care.

Clinical Partners

The WHRI partners with and promotes clinical services that translate the latest sex-based research into better, more precise clinical care for both men and women.

Reports & Publications

Our team is spreading our message about the importance of sex inclusion to researchers, clinicians, policy makers, and consumers through professional journals and social media.